The Republican file photoEdward P. Casey, the Springfield City Forester, stands with an oak tree.

SPRINGFIELD - The City Council on Monday will consider budget transfers requested by the mayor to allow for the resurrection of an in-house forestry crew, city management of the Romeo Cyr Skating Arena, and the purchase 15 police cruisers.

The council will consider the proposals filed by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno as part of a special meeting at 6 p.m. at the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Currently, the $764,034 forestry budget primarily includes funds to pay outside companies for tree maintenance and removals, and also covers the salary of the city forester.

Sarno is proposing a hybrid system, in which $358,483 would be shifted to cover the costs of hiring a five-member forestry crew, with the balance of funds used to hire outside firms and pay for supplies.

The Springfield Finance Control Board had laid off the city’s four-member forestry crew in early 2009, turning over emergency and non-emergency forestry work to three outside firms in the pursuit of cost savings.

Sarno and city finance officials, including Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Lee C. Erdmann, said the outsourcing of forestry work, without an in-house crew, has resulted in delays when storms occur and companies are tied up in other areas.

The hybrid system is expected to result in increased inspections, pruning and trimming, tree removals and stump removals, according to city projections.

The council will also consider transferring $575,588 from the stabilization reserve fund to purchase 15 cruisers to replace older cruisers.

The purchase will allow the Police Department to continue a regular replacement program to upgrade its fleet and eliminate its oldest, most worn vehicles, officials said.

Regarding Cyr Arena, Sarno is seeking to appropriate $317,0000 to run the rink this fiscal year, previously managed by a private company. The cost will be covered by estimated revenues, officials said.

FMC Ice Sports, of Pembroke, had been operating the rink for the city, but city officials said the arrangement was not working out, and there were concerns about deteriorating arena conditions.